System and method for dynamically changing the content of an internet web page

Abstract

A host Web page includes an evolving interactive dialog box wherein an Internet user may enter user data to be processed. When the user completes entering user data in a first revolution of the interactive dialog box, the first revolution is replaced with a second revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box without disturbing or affecting any other part of the host Web page being displayed. Beneficially, the first and second revolutions may be communicated to a user computer together with and at a same time as the host Web page. Also, the second revolution may include a variety of data which is selected or customized to match the user data submitted in the first revolution. Each revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box may be comprised of any combination of general textual data entry fields, category (pull-down) menus, contact information data entry fields, and opt-in / opt-out buttons.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 717,097, filed Dec. 17, 2012, which application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 443,189, filed Apr. 10, 2012, which application is a Continuation of patent application Ser. No. 12 / 887,051, filed Sep. 21, 2010, which application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 964,470, filed Dec. 26, 2007, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 393,398, filed Mar. 30, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,693,937, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 090,024, filed Mar. 28, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,233,973, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 824,648, filed Apr. 4, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,917,961, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 537,569, filed Mar. 30, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,238, which applications are incorporated herein ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a system and method for communicating information over the Internet using a client-server model. The technical effects of this patent include the use of hyperlinks to navigate through a user-navigable "Web" of interconnected documents, the use of dialog boxes to present information and request user input, and the use of HTTP and other standard protocols to access Web documents. The patent also describes the use of HTTP and other standard protocols to access Web pages and the hardware and software components that make up a Web site. The invention is also about the use of HTML and other standards to create links to other Web documents.

Problems solved by technology

There is a constant challenge for Internet Web site operators to attract visitors and to create “stickiness” and build loyalty to their Web sites.

Thus, when a user clicks on a hyperlink to take advantage of any of these services included in a host Web page which the user is viewing, the user's view of the host Web page disappears, is blocked, or is otherwise significantly altered.

This may be the case where the host Web page includes paid advertisement banners and / or paid-for embedded links to other Web pages, such that the provider of the host Web page may lose revenue if the user leaves the host Web page or the host's Web site.

Also, it is undesirable for the user to have to wait until a new Web page can be downloaded into their computer's browser to take advantage of these services, such as “help” or “contact us” etc.

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